Arahon and the Avengers left their Whamon transportation as they stepped onto the beach. Behind them, the Greymon Corps and the Gargomon Unit began to mobilize and stand ready. Arahon led the team up from the beach and into the desert. The sand stretched out before them like an endless sea of heat.
"I hate deserts," Ajax muttered. "Maybe Aegyptu is right. Maybe the Dramon Empire won't bother them here; I certainly wouldn't want anything to do with this Sovereign-forsaken desert."
"Unfortunately for us all, the Three Great Dramon aren't as reasonable as you, Ajax," Arahon said with a chuckle.
"Sandstorm coming up!" Onaga called out. Ahead of the group, a great wall of sand raged.
"Great," Ajax muttered. "It's gonna get in my armor and everything."
"We have to pass through the perpetual sandstorm in order to reach Aegyptu's stronghold," Arahon yelled over the roaring winds and biting sands.
The sandstorm was fierce. Wind carried particles of sand that sliced and scratched unarmored skin. Sand pelted eyes and packed itself into noses and ears. It poured into seams of armor. The Avengers were blinded for several minutes, though they still continued on through the storm.
But when they emerged, they had come upon the great desert stronghold of the
Paleozoic Sovereignty. The city itself was more akin to ruins than an actual city--at least on the outside. It was built into a rocky mountain that overlooked a beautiful oasis lake. The lake itself was actually an underground river that ran through the desert several hundred feet below the surface of the sands, but it had emerged and pooled, creating the oasis.
The Avengers were suddenly set upon by a pair of DinoTigermon. The great, saber-toothed Digimon circled the group. They bared their teeth and snarled.
"We have come for an audience with Lord Aegyptu," Arahon announced. "We are emissaries from the Harmonious Republic."
"The Harmonious Republic fell with the rise of the Dramon Empire," growled one of the great cats.
"The Harmonious Republic continues on so long as there are those who believe in its ideals and principles," Arahon countered. "We are emissaries of Lord Apollo and Lady Artemis and we bring a message for your lord."
The two DinoTigermon seemed satisfied with Arahon's answer and ceased their predatory circling. In stead, the flanked the Avengers and led them into the stronghold for their audience with Aegyptu.
Dinosaur Digimon appeared and watched them as they were led through the streets. Tyrannomon and Ankylomon stood silently and gazed tat the Avengers curiously. Pteramon kept a close eye on them as the flying dinosaurs circled above...
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"You have come to my kingdom univited, Arahon Alpha," said Aegyptu. He was massive, even for a Spinomon; nearly twice the size of Strom, and was even larger than Daehak.
"We come on a mission of peace and camaraderie," Arahon said.
"What kind of camaraderie is it when you bring your armies to the shores of my kingdom?" Aegyptu demanded. "We've seen your warriors on the beach waiting to invade and make this kingdom your own."
"The soldiers on the beach are our armed escorts," Arahon answered calmly. "These are troubling times, where Digimon such as we must be on constant guard. The Dramon Empire would like nothing more than to kill the lot of us."
"So you implicate my people by having us harbor you," Aegyptu accused. "You seek to drag us into your conflict! We are under no threat from the Dramon Empire: they have shown us no hostility."
"They showed no hostility to the Celestial Sphere or the Royal Hive either," Ajax countered. "Now the Celestial Sphere has abandoned this plane of the Digital World and the Royal Hive lies almost in ruins. How can you continue to claim that the Dramon Empire harbors to hostility towards the neutral nations."
"Those nations were supporting you rebels," said Aegyptu.
"Only in the ideological sense," Arahon interrupted. "They offered us no other support."
"And that ideological support was enough to incite the wrath of the Three Great Dramon," Aegyptu growled. "I will hear no more of this. Leave my kingdom now."
"Are you listening to yourself?" Ajax demanded in an outburst. "You're perfectly willing to blame us for the problems of the world, when we do nothing but try to protect those who need it."
"We do not need your help," Aegyptu insisted. It was clear he would hear no further argument.
Ajax sighed in frustration. Arahon gave him a look of pity and understanding and motioned for the Avengers to leave when an Allomon raced into the great hall. It kneeled before Aegyptu.
"Lord, there is a large force coming in from the west," it reported.
"Remove your soldiers from my lands!" Aegyptu demanded, flashing his claws to Arahon.
"We stationed our soldiers on the beaches in the south," said Arahon. "Whoever is coming isn't with us."
"It's true, my Lord," said the Allomon. "The incoming force is composed entirely of Dramon Empire soldiers."
"You see what you've done!" Aegyptu roared at the Avengers. "Because you came here, the Dramon Empire believes that I have supported your efforts!"
"Can you honestly believe that the Dramon Empire managed to mobilize their Army and Air Force within the short amount of time we were in your kingdom?" Ajax asked. "They were preparing for this since they failed to take the Royal Hive."
"No," Aegyptu said in disbelief. "Why? Why would they do this? We have done nothing."
"You have the potential to cross them," said Arahon. "That's enough for them to rationalize an attack on your kingdom."
Aegyptu was silent for several moments. The dinosaur Digimon surrounding him watched him with silent anticipation. The great Spinomon finally raised his eyes and spoke with a voice that shook the sand from the stone walls of his keep.
"Warriors, to arms!" Aegyptu roared. "We go to war!"
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The Army and Air Force of the Dramon Empire stepped into the great sandstorm that surrounded the stronghold of the Paleozoic Sovereignty. The dragons on the ground struggled through the sands, while the flying dragons were battered by the biting winds. Then a single white-armored figure in the sky raised his sword. Imego's "Initialize" power stopped the storm in its tracks and the sands fell to the ground.
A terrifying sight was brought to bear as the curtain of sand fell away.
Dramon soldiers marched towards the stronghold. Daehak led an army of Machinedramon, Breakdramon, Groundramon, Tankdramon, Volcdramon, Green Coredramon, Sealsdramon, Flamedramon, and Raidramon. High above him, the new Grand Marshal Gotungir, an UlforceVeedramon X, led a force of Imperialdramon Dragons, Slayerdramon, AeroVeedramon, Paildramon, Windramon, Airdramon, Blue Coredramon, ExVeemon, and Reptiledramon.
At the head of the great force of Dramon rode, the great champion; the ultimate paladin; the Lord Protector of the Dramon Empire: Imego himself. He stood on the back of a giant Black Imperialdramon as he led the great horde of Dramon towards the Paleozoic Sovereignty.
"Prepare yourselves, little lizards," he sneered. "Prepare for your doom..."